Digest:
A judicial candidate may distribute promotional materials, such as pens,
pencils and letter openers, in support of his or her candidacy.

Rule:
22 NYCRR 100.5(A)(2)(ii)

Opinion:

A judge inquires as to the appropriateness of distributing certain promotional
campaign materials. The "novelties" in question are pens, pencils, letter
openers and the like. The judge's concern is that the Rules Governing Judicial
Conduct clearly authorize the distribution of "... pamphlets and other
promotional campaign literature..." but does not specifically cover the
kinds of items mentioned in the inquiry.

It is the opinion of the Committee that there is no preclusion to distributing
the promotional campaign materials referred to. The phrase "campaign literature"
should be broadly interpreted to include such items, since these items
have campaign slogans imprinted on them.